So Great Salvation

21 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

The Captain of Salvation Made Perfect through Suffering

5 For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. 6 But one has somewhere testified, saying,

“What is man, that you think of him?
Or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels.
You crowned him with glory and honor. [1] 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” [2]

For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet. 9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers [3], 12 saying,

“I will declare your name to my brothers.
In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” [4] 13 Again, “I will put my trust in him.” [5] Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” [6]

14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Christ Superior to Moses

31 Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. 3 For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God. 5 Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken, 6 but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.

A Rest for the People of God

7 Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says,

“Today if you will hear his voice, 8 don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers tested me by proving me,
and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was displeased with that generation,
and said, ‘They always err in their heart,
but they didn’t know my ways;’ 11 as I swore in my wrath,
‘They will not enter into my rest.’” [7] 12 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today;” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end: 15 while it is said,

“Today if you will hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.” [8] 16 For who, when they heard, rebelled? No, didn’t all those who came out of Egypt by Moses? 17 With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 To whom did he swear that they wouldn’t enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.